Rachel Peters wows in her evening gown for the Miss Universe 2017 coronation event

After firing up the pageant stage clad in a bikini, the 66th Miss Universe candidates have dressed up to the nines for the evening gown competition.

Despite Rachel Peters' gown leak that surfaced days before the coronation event, the Filipina beauty queen still wowed everyone as she graced the stage garbed in a sexy and sequinned Val Taguba gown for the finals.

In a statement she posted on Instagram last Thursday, she said, "It's not about the dress you wear, how you walk or even the element of surprise. What's important is that you are kind and true to yourself... that's when a girl truly shines!"

RELATED: Rachel Peters shrugs off leaked photos of her evening gown days before the coronation night

The Miss Universe Organization is following new mechanics for the coronation event, selecting the Final 16 per continent — four candidates from The Americas (North America, Central America, South America, Caribbean), four from Europe, four candidates from Asia, Africa, and the Oceania, and four wild card.

Reigning Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere will be turning over her crown to the next queen.

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach is also at the event as one of the telecast judges. — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News